HEART OF HOLLYWOOD MAGAZINE

We're thrilled to announce that Gilda Baum-Lappe is joining the Heart of Hollywood Magazine team, not just as a contributor, but as a key part of our publication’s vision and growth. Gilda brings a wealth of experience to the role. Born in Mexico City, she studied communications before landing a summer internship at a prestigious newspaper, which quickly turned into a full-time role. Over the years, she has written, done photography, and appeared on air for major internation

Goodbye to ‘Cobra Kai’ and Hello to New TV Shows, Movies, and Projects! Spring is finally here! That makes me happy even though Cobra Kai, my favorite show, has come to an end. I recently had the chance to engage with other fans an unforgettable event. It was part of PaleyFest, the nation’s premier TV festival, meant to brings stars and audiences together. After a screening of the final episode at the iconic Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are held, there was a panel discuss

By Sandy Rodriguez Heart Of Hollywood Magazine now has an international presence, but it is largely produced in Los Angeles and our hearts break for anyone impacted by the fires. We trust, however, that the city will heal and be rebuilt, because the people who live here are resilient and strong. In this issue, which we began to put together before any of the fires began, we highlight the Golden Globes, the first major awards show of the year, and probably the only one in L.A.

By Sandy Rodriguez The Heart Of Hollywood Magazine team recently attended the American Film Convention. This exciting event, held at the Magic Box in Los Angeles, wasn’t just a gathering for industry insiders—it was an immersive celebration of film, creativity, and innovation. It was a joy to represent the magazine alongside talented actors, filmmakers, and producers. One particular highlight for me was having my book, Choose to Prevail, available for sale at one of the booth

Fashionistas are sure to enjoy this issue of Heart Of Hollywood Magazine. Don't miss our feature on BOLD Swim’s sexy, sophisticated, and sustainable swimsuits – your beachwear game just leveled up. Also, discover the magic of Neems Jeans. Perfect-fitting bespoke denim meets affordability, so you can say goodbye to ill-fitting jeans and hello to a new wardrobe staple. Readers seeking to lead a more rewarding life will benefit from diving into the inspiring journey of former

Give Cupid a Nudge By Sandy Rodriguez Valentine’s Day is a time when some singles feel the urge to start looking for love. If you work in entertainment, why not keep your eyes open and cast a wider net? Although it’s rarely wise to date coworkers you interact with directly, if you’re in the industry it might make sense to find someone in this field. People in entertainment, from film directors to set designers to audio engineers and everything in between understand things t

In this issue you will find a beautiful cover inspired by the Day of the Dead, a holiday which is most often associated with Mexico but is also observed elsewhere, and of which several non-Hispanic countries have their own versions. Catrina: Denice Marie Paskovski Photo Credit: Claudia Hoag Catrín: Halas Wilbourn Photo Credit: Claudia Hoag The purpose of this day is honoring those who have left this world. Altars are mounted, and on them pictures of the deceased are displayed

As this issue goes to press, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA are striking for improved wages and work conditions. With no writers and no actors, audiences thirsting for new movies and new episodes of their favorite TV shows will have to wait. At Heart Of Hollywood Magazine, we hope there will be a swift resolution that is acceptable to all parties. Our readers who are actors can get ready for when this happens. In this issue, we suggest different ways to prep

By Sandy Rodriguez Persistence, resilience, and trusting the process is often the key to success. This is particularly true in the entertainment industry, where constant rejection is par for the course. Actors, for instance, need to develop a thick skin and learn from every “no” until they get a career-changing “yes”. In this issue, contributor Aaron Marcus explains how to deal if an agent turns you down. His advice is excellent, and yet I acknowledge that feeling like you wi

Editor's Letter Sandy Rodriguez We had your career success in mind when we put together this issue, packed with practical advice and inspiration. Also, since we couldn’t let February pass us by without offering recommendations for dealing with Valentine’s Day, we also have an article about precisely that, with insights from actress and podcaster Kat Zammuto. In Mexico City, where I lived for many years, it is not uncommon to call Valentine’s Day el Día del Amor y la Amistad,

WHEN OTHERS SAY YOUR HOME IS NOT YOUR HOME Monarch: A Mexican American Musical is a highly original theatrical production that Los Angeles audiences were able to enjoy this December. The play was shown at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Downtown L.A. The play, created by Alfonso Molina and Mayu Molina Lehmann, features nonstop music that tells thestory of people choosing to move from Mexico to the United States and sometimes not being fully accepted by those

By Sandy Rodriguez It’s the holidays and even I—a textbook introvert—found myself at one event after another. I was hired as the English/Spanish interpreter for the GuadaLAjara Film Festival, a fantastic event showcasing Latino cinema. I was delighted to see Xolo Maridueña of Cobra Kai (my favorite show), alongside castmates Jacob Bertrand (who plays “Hawk”, my favorite TV character) and Vanessa Rubio. Heart Of Hollywood CEO Giovanna Salas kindly joined me at my booth during

By Sandy Rodriguez Longtime Heart Of Hollywood Magazine photographer and friend Ernie Tyler received an award for his extraordinary Fashion Photography from the Inland Valley Business and Community Foundation at a Fire Up Connect live event this October. Ernie has shot some of the most-loved Heart Of Hollywood Magazine covers, including the one for our very first issue. He is known not only as a fashion photographer, but also for his spectacular sports photography. He allows

By Sandy Rodriguez The GuadaLAjara Film Festival (GLAFF), recently held in Los Angeles, aimed to celebrate the best of Latin American cinema and promote a borderless film industry. The opening night gala was held at the glamorous Theatre at the Ace Hotel in Downtown L.A. Among the celebrities present were Mónica Huarte, the evening’s host, and Cobra Kai actors Xolo Maridueña, Vanessa Rubio, and Jacob Bertrand. Xolo received the Tree of Life Trailblazer Award. As Miguel on Cob

By Sandy Rodriguez Wrapping up a busy summer! Heart Of Hollywood Magazine was honored to be a part of the Broadway International Film Festival, and you’ll find the details in this issue. Emilio Vega, BIFFLA Executive Director, kindly invited our CEO and Publisher Giovanna Salas to be one of the MCs. The festival was held at the Mexican Center for Culture and Cinematic Arts (CCCM), a venue within the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles. Follow @cccmla_ to read about events, cours